FRANKENTEAK – the resurrection

Most people love teak’s warm, golden glow, but hate maintaining it.  We take a look at some cleaning tips that can help put life back into your tired teak.

How they work

Due to its resistance to deterioration, rot and insects, teak is one of the few things onboard that allows an owner to decide the amount of effort they want to spend maintaining it. You can take the more laid back approach of letting it attain a natural, silver gray color, safe in the knowledge that less than 1/100th of an inch below that weathered, gray look lies beautiful oily wood. Others prefer the golden glow and accentuated grain highlighted by properly, frequently oiled teak deck or trim, viewing the additional work required to achieve it as time well spent.
Regardless your maintenance philosophy, at some point most owners will have a reason to give their teak a thorough cleaning, be it in preparation for a lay-up period, re-commissioning, or readying the wood for oiling or varnishing.
A quick look at any well-stocked chandlery will show there’s no shortage of teak cleaners. Which one to use?
Simplify the selection process by remembering the teak prime directive. Start with the mildest cleaning product that looks like it has a chance of success, then work your way towards stronger cleaners that can do the job with as little damage to the wood as possible.
One part cleaners on average tend to be less harsh than two part products, but may require longer dwell times, multiple applications, or simply lack the cleaning power of their two-part brethren when faced with ultra-gnarly teak.
Two part cleaners can really power the dirt and grime from otherwise hopelessly grimy teak, but should be considered the “nuclear option” due to the harsh chemicals and toxic nature of most.  Sure, they can clean it, but they do so by removing some of it in the process.
The first part of a two part cleaner contains the primary cleaning agent, while the second part (depending on the product) may provide additional cleaning power, contain a wood brightener (to lighten and impart a more uniform color) or simply act as a neutralizing agent for the first part.
Although some teak cleaners (Teakdecking Systems TCP 100 Teak Cleaning Powder, for example) are specifically advertised as being suitable for weekly or monthly cleaning, many commercially available teak cleaners are simply too harsh for regular use. For normal, routine cleaning you’ll find that sudsy ammonia or a solution of water and mild detergent (such as Original Pine-Sol Brand Cleaner) will compare well to most teak cleaners, while being a lot easier on the wood, surrounding surfaces, and environment. One yacht crew we know swore by diluted lemon juice as a brightener.
The good news for the environment is that “green” cleaners are more abundant and readily available than ever.  YachtShine’s one part teak cleaner, for example, is advertised as being non-toxic, biodegradable, and meeting EPA Clean Marina Guidelines.

Teak Cleaning Tips

As mentioned above, most teak dies an early death not from neglect, but from over cleaning by well-meaning owners.  Although you should always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for any cleaner or product being used, here are some good tips on proper teak care that will serve you well in all situations.

1. Use the mildest cleaner possible to get the job done.
2. Always wear recommended protective equipment (rubber gloves, goggles, etc) when handling teak cleaners.
3. Protect adjacent areas and finishes while cleaning.  Gel teak cleaners have an advantage in this regard, providing you more control during application on horizontal or angled surfaces. Wet adjacent areas with water prior to cleaning and keep them wet, being sure to rinse all areas thoroughly (especially those being cleaned) as any residue will continue to eat away at whatever surface it touches.
4. When cleaning teak, scrub across the grain of the wood with a 3-M Scotch-Brite pad.  A soft, polypropylene bristle brush will do in a pinch – just remember to scrub lightly and never with the grain.
5. Badly worn teak should be lightly sanded to smooth the wood’s surface.  While sanding also removes some of the wood, many experts state a smooth surface is easier to properly maintain and actually increases the life of teak by exposing less wood to the elements and preventing the grain from trapping dirt and air borne contaminants.
6. Keep cleaned and/or treated teak covered if possible to prevent UV light and weather damage.